Anyone who notices blood or pink foam while brushing their teeth often reacts in exactly the wrong way: they brush less vigorously or, in the worst case, stop brushing altogether for a few days, supposedly to avoid irritating the gums any further. This piece of received wisdom may sound logical, but it is mistaken.
The opposite is the right defence strategy, because the inflammation can only be tackled successfully with very thorough and correct brushing. And correct brushing is no secret. Many people concentrate mainly on the smooth surfaces and chewing surfaces when brushing — yet these are in fact almost always clean. What matters is to clean the spaces between the teeth first, because this is where particular thoroughness is called for, as plaque and bacteria tend to accumulate there. Only at the end is it the turn of the chewing surfaces, and the surface of the tongue can also be included in your oral hygiene routine.
Gum inflammation often has its origins in the spaces between the teeth. That is why it is so important — and really quite easy — to clean the interdental spaces effectively with dental floss, interdental brushes or medicated dental sticks from the pharmacy or chemist. Together with the right brushing technique, the right toothbrush and an antibacterial mouthwash, it is quite possible to keep the germs in check and thus reduce the risk of gum inflammation. Bear in mind, however, that some mouth rinses are intended for short-term use only.
In principle, it is very simple: clean teeth give harmful bacteria no chance to settle, which means gum inflammation does not become a risk in the first place.
If none of this has helped and the bleeding gums persist or become noticeably worse, you should see your dentist promptly, even outside your regular check-ups. The same applies to swollen and reddened gums or the formation of gum pockets. All of these symptoms point to the early stages of periodontitis. Where there is an increased risk of periodontitis, a responsible dentist will recommend regular prophylaxis — that is, a professional teeth cleaning at the dental practice.
